Minister of State for Natural Resources, Community Affairs and Digital Development Seán Canney TD will represent Ireland at the United Nations High Level Political Forum (HLPF) this week to discuss global progress on achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals.
Heads of State and Ministers from 193 countries are attending the UN HLPF on Sustainable Development in New York, where they will take stock of global progress to achieve the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
While in New York, Minister Canney will deliver Ireland's national statement to the Forum and hold bilateral meetings with other ministers from around the world. He will also participate in a number of high profile side events, on topics including the role of young people in Climate Action, the EU's support for the Goals, and the need for countries to build partnerships to achieve sustainable development.
This year the Forum will address progress and challenges in relation to the following goals:
SDG 4 – Quality Education
SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
SDG 13 – Climate Action
SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
The Goals, which were adopted in 2015, are the most ambitious set of global commitments ever agreed by United Nations member states, and provide a framework for achieving a peaceful, just, prosperous and sustainable planet by 2030.
Ireland was centrally involved in the development of the Goals, as our then ambassador to the UN, Mr David Donoghue, co-chaired the negotiations which led to their adoption.
Ireland remains committed to achieving all 17 Goals in full by 2030 and considers the High Level Political Forum as a vital mechanism for countries to report on their progress and to learn the experience of others.
The Sustainable Development Goals are a roadmap to the future we want by 2030. Ireland is proud to have provided leadership on the agreement of the Goals and now we are focused on showing the same leadership in achieving them. Global progress can only happen when countries work together and build on each others' best practice. I am looking forward to sharing Ireland's experience this week, and to hearing from other countries on their progress and challenges,
stated Minister Canney.